Montreal, 65. Brian speaks up.
With Gibson Firebird, Where Is That Guitar Today?
Brian Today.
If You Can Get Past The Commercial There’s Some Great Early Color Footage Here.
Brian co-wrote this one, better than anything they’d done in decades.
I don’t have much to add to what I had to say about Brian Jones (Lewis Brian Hopkins Jones, born February 28, 1942, died July 3, 1969) two years ago on the fortieth anniversary of his death. But I guess I still miss him. In his best selling auto-hagiography Life, Keith Richards’ downplays Brian’s contributions at every chance he gets, even crediting the formation of the Rolling Stones to Ian Stewart. Brian is still getting the shit end of the stick after all this time. Well, at least he never looked as goofy as Ron Wood, who could have taken at least a few fashion tips from Brian. It’s forty two years since Brian’s death and I’m still saying my goodbyes.
Have you read Sway? http://www.amazon.com/Sway-Novel-Zachary-Lazar/dp/0316113115. It's a novel that includes the early rolling stones as characters, in addition to Kenneth Anger and Charles Manson. There's quite a bit about the interpaly between Brian, Mick and Keith. Fiction, granted, but it feels like it's based on a lot of research. Great post, this is great stuff.
I made a pilgrimage to Brian's grave in the mid 80s. Even then, the locals were still talking about him, and were eager to tell me stories in the pub about his funeral. At his grave was a crazy chick who was crying, all the way from Denmark.
Well said Hound. That was BEAUTIFUL
“I find it hilarious when Cooder claims the Stones ripped off his riffs, he stole 'em from Blind Willie Johnson…”HEH!And Brian had the coolest hair in 1964, even if Peter Orlovsky had it in 1962!
Thanks Jim, now I HAVE to listen to Between the Buttons on this rainy day in New Orleans.
The photo above of Jones playing “the organ” is actually Jones playing the rare Chamberlin, a dual mellotron keyboard instrument. Far more typical of Jones I would say in that he added much more unusual color to Rolling Stones records (the organ would have been too pedestrian for him probably)
Great post and a fitting tribute, especially with the YouTube clips. Question: Who's singing lead on “I Know?” I'd never heard this track before but the voice sounds more like Gene Pitney than either Mick or Keith!
Who's singing lead on “I Know?” I'm pretty sure it's Mick with the tape speeded up by Andrew Loog Oldham…
Could that be Bill Wyman singing “I Know”?!
“Could that be Bill Wyman singing “I Know”?!”doesn't sound like him to me, but who knows, In Another Land has his voice slowed way down……
Anonymous is right about 'Sway'. I even reviewed it….toot, toot. There's a great bit in it where Brian takes Anita to meet mum and dad in Cheltenham.
Hound – Its FORTY two years. In some ways I wish it were thirty two, but hey…thats life.
“auto-hagiography.” That's good.
“Hound – Its FORTY two years.”Dough! I lost a decade some where…
I just saw your tribute to Kelly Keller. She worked in the record store above The Boot by Tulane in the mid-80's didn't she? I think I played her something my “band” came up with and she gave me a blurb. Great person! Sorry to hear she passed away so long ago.
I'm pretty sure Ron Wood wears a wig.
What's up with the Nazi shit??
Is it not a “nanker”? As in Nanker Phelge?
To bum out squares named Rube.
“Is it not a “nanker”? As in Nanker Phelge?”umm, yes, that was a typo….
That's ok Jim, we're used to your typo's, mistakes, screw ups etc…That's a part of your charm. P.J.Dejager
In the Montreal video interview Keith makes no effort to hide his peevishness with the “square” interviewer. Brian seems quite friendly and sincere, and surprisingly voluble, not radiating condescension or boredom as some of the others do.
Of course Ron Wood wears a wig but even if he didn't he couldn't touch Brian by a mile, teenage Russian waitress girlfriends or not. That pic of Brian in natty pinstripes greeting fans is him coming out of court, I think! Now that's style.
Hound any good books on Brian Jones you can recommend?
“Hound any good books on Brian Jones you can recommend?”Not specifically on Brian, the best Stones book is Stanley Booth's True Adventures of the Rolling Stones which is mostly about the first post Brian US tour ('69) but cuts back to early times in places.
Oh, lay off poor Ron Wood. Dye and all, that IS his hair, much to Keith's jealousy.
I still miss him too Hound. I will never ever forget the night I first saw him (Jacksonville 1965). He played Little Red Rooster and my life was changed forever.
Cool pics and a great video clip of them being interviewed. I love how even back then Charlie, the straight one, always seemed zonked out of his head!!
Great int. Man I feel bad for that interviewer, zzzzz. A nice reminder that the Stones were once kids in their early-20s, attitude and all.
It can't really have success, I consider like this.
Oh my god, there's a great deal of useful material in this post!
This can't actually work, I suppose like this.